SSNIT may not be able to pay pensions after 2037 – Report

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A new actuarial valuation report from the Africa Centre for Retirement Research (ACRR) suggests that the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) may not be able to fully pay benefits of pensioners after 2037.

According to the report, the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) is facing medium- to long-term sustainability danger.

Speaking to press men last Wednesday , the Executive Director of ACRR, Abdallah Mashud, explained called on government to put measures in place else SSNIT risk collapsing.

According to Abdallah Mashud, ACRR’s 2014 actuarial valuation exercise also pegged a depletion of SSNIT’s resources by 2042.

Abdallah Mashud says he fears the next actuarial valuation report may even pose threatening outcomes to pensioners and Ghanaian workers in general following the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on the country’s economy.

Red Also: GWCL: Customers in Central Region owe over GHS134M

“Three years later, that is, the subsequent valuation in 2017, however, predicts that the reserves [will] deplete in 2037, five years earlier. What this means is that if Parliament, policymakers and stakeholders do not undertake the necessary steps to address the imbalance in the social security finances through parametric and legislative reforms, the Trust funds are unable to pay full scheduled benefits on timely basis in 2037.”

 “ACRR is, however, of the opinion that, considering the SSNIT pensioners’ post-retirement mortality pattern, increasing retirement age by two years will result in more members dying in service, instead of in pension,” he told press men.

He also used the opportunity to call on government to rather pay up its indebtedness to SSNIT.

Meanwhile, there have been calls  to increase the retirement age from 60 years to 62 years by 2037.

Ghana | Atinkaonline.com | Vivian Adu | [email protected]

We’ve not been re-assigned – Toll Booth attendants cry

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Some Toll booth Attendants who operated at the Kasoa, Pobiman and Tema say they have not been re-assigned contrary to government’s promise

The Attendants who were hit by the suspension of the collection of road toll said they fear government may not re-assign them as promised.

The Minister for Finance, Ken Ofori Atta, announced that government has abolished all road tolls.
According to him, the directive takes effect as soon as the budget is approved.

Presenting the 2022 Budget Statement and Economic Policy of government on the floor of Parliament on Wednesday, 17th November 2021, Minister for Finance, Ken Ofori Atta mentioned that a new levy will be imposed to make the toll paying more universal.

He mentioned that over the years, the tolling points have become unhealthy market centres, led to heavy traffic on our roads.

He added that the toll booths have also lengthened travel time from one place to another, and impacted negatively on productivity.

The Minister also said toll booth workers will be re-assigned.

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But Speaking on Atinka TV’s morning show, Ghana Nie with Ekourba Gyasi Simpremu, three Toll Booth attendants, Mariam, Eva and Ernest Antwi said till now, no government official has engaged them physically on the way forward after staying home for over a week.

They fear they may not be assigned because according to them, a toll booth was closed at Kubease in Kumasi where the attendants were told the place was undergoing maintenance for only three months with a promise that they will receive their salary during the period but the workers did not receive salary and its been over a year and they have also not been re-assigned.

They, therefore, pleaded with government to meet with them to discuss the way forward and or re-assign them as promised.

For the suspension of the road toll collection, Eva said, “I feel government did not deal with us well, even if you are evicting a tenant, this is not how to do it. And government has not come out to meet us to say this is what we are doing for you. The Government should come out to tell us something. All we are saying is we need our jobs back.”

Ghana| Atinkaonline.com| Porcia Oforiwaa Ofori
Writer’s email: [email protected]

Wassa Asikuma : Galamsey pit caves in, kills 10

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Ten persons have died as a result of a galamsey pit that caved in at Wassa Asikuma in the Prestea Huni-Valley Municipality of the Western Region.

According reports, four are also in critical conditions after being rescued from the pit.

It has been noticed that although galamsey activities has been banned, some persons continue to mine illegally.

Per reports, 14 persons were trapped in the pit that caved in.

The four persons who survived the incident are currently receiving treatment at Tarkwa-Nsuaem Government Hospital.

Meanwhile, all bodies of the deceased have been retrieved.

Atinkaonline.com will update the public on this story when necessary.

Ghana l Atinkaonline.com

Damfa, Kweiman chiefs warn against attempts to steal their lands

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The Chiefs and people of Amrahia, Damfa and Kweiman in the Greater Accra region have called on the president to investigate and stop one Clement Gyato who is allegedly using his name (president Akufo Addo) and other ministers of state to loot and sell their lands at Damfa and Amrahia area.

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, the Divisional Chief of Damfa, Nii Dzani Tsuru Afutu Brempong IV noted that all those hiding behind “that Gyato to sell our lands will soon be exposed”.

According to the chiefs,  they only know of the transfer of 40% of their land back to them which was announced by the Vice President  on 25th of November 2020 and warned that they will not allow anyone to take over their ancestral property.

The chiefs are calling on president Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia to wake up as some individuals in their government are using them and other government officials to loot lands in Damfa, Amrhia and its environs and painting the government black in the process.

Read Also: Sam George, 6 others escape highway robbery

For his part,  Nii Dzini Kluu I, spokeperson, for Amanhia Damfa Kweiman Stools called on the government to stop one Mr Clement Gyato before its too late .  He bemoaned recent publications in  sections of the media which sought to create the impression that  NPP Chairman, Freddy Blay and other party stalwarts were involved in land grabbing .

He reiterated that that, on 25th of November last year, the Vice President following many letters and persuasions to give back their land announced that  40% of the land should be given to them (chiefs) pointing out that  this will “take effect by next week and we will find it very difficult for anyone to tarnish our name by calling us land guards”

“We, the chiefs of this community want to make it clear that no one has taken any plot at the farm lands. Why should it be Clement Gyato protecting govt lands?” he said.

The Chiefs, however commended  Abu Jinapor, Freddy Blay and Moses Abor for supporting them.

The chiefs also expressed surprise that former AMA boss, Nii Adjei Sowah was accused of land grabbing when it is certainly not the case .

Ghana | Atinkaonline.com

GWCL: Customers in Central Region owe over GHS134M

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The Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) have revealed that the company has over GHS134M in debts in the Central Region.

Speaking at a stakeholder dialogue organized by the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) on Wednesday, 24 November 2021 in Cape Coast, the Central Regional Engineer of the GWCL, Mr Thomas Amenyah revealed that some of the debts owed GWCL in the region date back to four years.

According to Mr Thomas Amenyah, the cost of operations of the company was becoming expensive, as a result of the deplorable state of raw sources of water due to illegal mining activities and the high cost of chemicals.

Read Also: Youth in Afforestation to strike on Friday over unpaid allowance

Mr Thomas Amenyah added that the debt owed by educational institutions in the region is GHS78.8 million with tertiary institutions owing GHS53.6 million and Senior High Schools GHS25.2 million.

“Educational institutions, security agencies, commercial, domestic and industrial users are among the current defaulters in the region. The total amount owed to the water company by educational institutions in the region is GHS78.8 million with tertiary institutions owing GHS53.6 million and Senior High Schools GHS25.2 million. Security agencies owe the water company a total of GHS7.4 million. This includes the Ghana Prisons Service, which owes GHS3.6 million while the Police Service owes GHS3.4 million and the Ghana National Fire Service, GHS400,000,” Thomas Amenyah explained.

He reiterated that Commercial, domestic and industrial users owe the company GHS42.7 million.

Ghana | atinkaonline.com | Vivian Adu | [email protected]

Speak to parents of players abroad over national teams- Yaw Boateng Gyan to GFA

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A Former National Organiser of the National Democracy (NDC), and Board Chairman of Bofoakwa Tano FC, Mr Yaw Boateng Gyan, has urged the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and government to speak to parents of young Ghanaian footballers who are doing very well nationally and internationally to convince their children to play for the senior National Team, Black Stars.

Despite having a solid team, he was of the view that there were very good players out there who could make positive impact on the national team but had not been called to join the team.

According to him, even if it has to take the President to call them, he has to do it for the betterment of the team.

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Speaking on Atinka TV‘s morning show, Ghana Nie with Ekourba Gyasi Simpremu, Mr Yaw Boateng Gyan said some of the players who must be called include Tariq Lamptey, Felix Afena Gyan from Wenchi, Andrew Appau, Callum Hudson-Odoi from Chelsea in England.

“We have a lot of players and the FA has to make a move. If we have to get people to go and talk to them we have to do it. Even if the government has to come in and the President himself has to take a phone and call the families of those guys and talk to them, he has to do it,” he said.

He continued that,”I heard Asamoah Gyan has spoken to some of them, fine. If we get some of these old guys in there, they can do something like what Roger Miller did but these boys are young blood and energetic and I feel when they come, it will help the team.”

Although he does not know what move the GFA has taken concerning these guys, he said he was willing to take it up to speak to some of them even if he has to travel, urging the GFA to make them know what steps they are taking in that regard.

He noted that the President spoke to Callum Hudson-Odoi and after that the England Team called him but he did not go because he might be considering playing for Ghana.

“We do not have to leave it there, we have to continue talking to them because all these boys are very good,” he said.

Ghana| Atinkaonline.com| Porcia Oforiwaa Ofori
Writer’s email: [email protected]

Man Utd set to appoint German Coach

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Manchester United (Man Utd) are close to appointing Ralf Rangnick as interim manager on a six-month contract.

The 63-year-old German is poised to join United but will not be in charge this weekend against Chelsea while he waits for his work permit.

United have agreed terms with Rangnick, but not with Lokomotiv Moscow, where he is the head of sports and development.

It comes after United sacked Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on Sunday following a trophyless three-year spell as boss.

Rangnick won the German Cup with Schalke in 2011 and took RB Leipzig to the final in 2019.

During the 2010-11 season he guided Schalke to the semi-finals of the Champions League, where they lost 6-1 on aggregate to United, who were then beaten by Barcelona in the final.

United are eighth in the Premier League and Solskjaer, who scored the winning goal in the 1999 Champions League final for the club, was dismissed following an embarrassing 4-1 loss at Watford on Saturday.

Michael Carrick, Solskjaer’s assistant, was placed in temporary charge, with United saying he would be in place while they looked to appoint an interim manager to the end of the season.

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Carrick took charge of United on Tuesday for the 2-0 win at Villarreal, a result that ensured they would finish top of their Champions League group.

Rangnick has built an impressive coaching reputation during his time in Germany, chiefly through spells at Stuttgart, Hannover, Hoffenheim, Schalke and RB Leipzig.

He was subsequently in charge of the Red Bull group of clubs and his current club Lokomotiv have a Europa League game against Lazio on Thursday evening and United are mindful of not disturbing their preparation.

Rangnick impressed during an initial conversation with United officials earlier this week.

However, he has held further discussions about his role beyond the end of the season.

Senior United figures believe Rangnick’s expertise will be invaluable from a technical and structural perspective.

The move backs up the Old Trafford outfit’s view that bringing in an interim manager to the end of the season will provide them with space to assess the managerial situation properly.

Mauricio Pochettino is known to be interested in the United job but the Premier League club are wary of getting into protracted discussions with PSG that could drag on for longer than they want.

It is understood Carrick will remain in charge for Sunday’s game against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Source: BBC

Sam George, 6 others escape highway robbery

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Member of Parliament for Prampram, Sam Nartey George, has narrated how he escaped a highway robbery on the highway.

The lawmaker in a facebook post said himself and 6 other colleagues were delivered from the jaws of death.

Although Sam Nartey George did not give full details of the incident, his team was used as vessels to save over 40 other citizens who had been held at gun point.

He added that menace of robberies is one that we must seek to do more about.

“Last night, his deliverance from the jaws of death for myself and 6 of my Colleagues is a blessing we cannot repay. The menace of highway robberies is one we must seek to do more about,” Sam Nartey George said in the post.

Sam George also called on the general public to support Ghana Police Service to to do more to fight the cancer as we enter the yuletide.

Read Also: Youth in Afforestation to strike on Friday over unpaid allowance

Read Full Facebook post

“Thankful to the Almighty for the gift of life”

Last night, his deliverance from the jaws of death for myself and 6 of my Colleagues is a blessing we cannot repay. The menace of highway robberies is one we must seek to do more about.

I am glad we were used as vessels to save over 40 other citizens who had been held at gun point. Hopefully, the Ghana Police Service would be supported to do more to fight the cancer as we enter the yuletide.

Still we move! 🦁🙏🏾

Ghana | Atinkaonline.com | Vivian Adu | [email protected]

Bawku: Curfew was imposed over bloodshed fears- Report

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Atinka TV’s Upper East Regional Correspondent, Nurudeen Ibrahim has asserted that curfew was placed on the Bawku Township in the Upper East Region because the police was scared that there would be more bloodshed.

Although there has been a brawl between two clans over the rituals of their dead Chief before his final funeral rites, he said the police did not intervene swiftly until things started getting out of hand.

Already, some persons had been wounded as a result of the clash between the two clans who felt they had the right to install a new Chief and as well perform rituals for their Chief.

Read Also: Wearing of smock banned in Bawku

On Wednesday, November 23, 2021, the Regional Security Council (REGSEC) placed a curfew on the town due to a clash between two families over the funeral rights of their Chief who died about two years ago.

All persons were instructed to sleep by 4 p.m. and wake up 6 a.m.

Aside that, the wearing of smock was banned in the town because according to REGSEC, some criminals or unscrupulous elements hide arms and ammunitions in the smocks and attack opponents or innocent civilians.

Speaking on Atinka TV’s morning show, Ghana Nie with Ekourba Gyasi Simpremu, Nurudeen Ibrahim said,”The fight has been going on for about three weeks. The police did not come in early but yesterday they realised that there would be further bloodshed if nothing was done.”

For the ban of smock, Nurudeen Ibrahim said only Chiefs are allowed to wear them in their Palace and not outside.

Ghana| Atinkaonline.com| Porcia Oforiwaa Ofori
Writer’s email: [email protected]

Youth in Afforestation to strike on Friday over unpaid allowance

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Beneficiaries of the Youth in Afforestation are set to embark on a sit-down strike on Friday 26th November 2021 to agitate a 5-month unpaid allowance.

According to the personnel, government has failed to pay them their allowances since July 2021.

Speaking to the media, the personnel charged government to provide good working conditions for them if it wants to the country’s forest reserves to grow and maintain its Greening Ghana Agenda.

The group says it has notified its membership to proceed on a sit-down indefinite industrial strike following their demonstration that is scheduled to take place on Friday.

It would be recalled that the group threatened to embark on a similar exercise in May this year as well as in 2020 over unpaid allowances whiles also demanding for better working conditions.

Read Also: Ghana Gets 1st Sciatic Research Centre

The Youth in Afforestation Programme was launched on August 13, 2018, at the Jubilee Park in Kumasi in line with the NPP’s 2016 manifesto commitment of reforestation, forest rehabilitation, and forest protection activities.

It is an initiative to help reduce the rate of youth unemployment while building more trees.

The youth were been employed to plant trees to restore Ghana’s forest.

Over 100,000 youth were employed for the programme across the country.

Ghana | Atinkaonline.com | Vivian Adu | [email protected]